Some may answer they don’t really plan the day at all. They let things come to them. They’re easy-going. They take the approach that whatever’s important will present itself at the right time. They either went to Woodstock or wished they had. Okay, scratch that last remark.

It’s not necessarily a deal-breaker that someone doesn’t plan out their day, but from a work perspective, a decent grip on time management is almost always a plus.

So let’s move on to the applicant that does plan out their day. Do they separate the important from the not-so-important and then focus on getting the important things done?

Do they review the activities of the previous day?

And with that in mind, do they keep a running record of key things that need to be completed? Or do they leave yesterday’s incomplete activities in yesterday and just start with a fresh slate each day?

Do they plan their day in writing or do they just keep a mental record of things?

Some positions handle a great deal of varied activity; some handle the same few tasks throughout the day. The more activities the person needs to carry out directly or supervise, the more likely the qualities of a “good planner” would be beneficial.

This one question can branch off into a nice discussion for you. You can learn a fair amount from an applicant in how they plan out their day.

As the law varies in each area, please check with an attorney to ensure you are applying these tips within the law.